Last Call - Orlando Sentinelhttp://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/lastcall
Sentinel Bars & Clubs columnist Kelly Fitzpatrick covers Orlando nightlife, bars and clubsMon, 26 Sep 2011 17:15:16 +0000http://wordpress.org/?v=abcenhourly1Debbie does Parliament House during Gay Dayshttp://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/lastcall/2010/06/debbie-does-parliament-house-during-gay-days.html
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/lastcall/2010/06/debbie-does-parliament-house-during-gay-days.html#commentsMon, 07 Jun 2010 21:59:56 +0000Kelly Fitzpatrickhttp://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/lastcall/?p=893I decided to chase after my electric youth by seeing Deborah “no longer Debbie” Gibson at Parliament House during Gay Days last Friday. The pop singer, that helped pave the way (with a girl named Tiffany) for then toddlers Britney and Christina back in the ’80s, still knows how to “shake it” even though she’s approaching her electric middle age.

But that’s not what I’m going to write about here. Well maybe a little. It was a fantastic time, I sang and danced and stared in awe during the opening act, The Footlight Players. Although extremely talented, a couple of performers have bigger breasts than me and I’m no slouch. Deborah not only sang her hits from the late ’80s such as “Shake Your Love” and one of my favorites “In Your Eyes,” she also threw in some Broadway musical numbers such as “Big Spender” from “Sweet Charity” and “Maybe This Time” from “Cabaret.”

No, what I want to write about is how I experienced one of the most shocking moments I’ve had during my tenure about writing nightlife in Orlando this same night. And it had nothing to do with Gay Days or Debbie’s voice (which I enjoyed just fine). What shocked me was what was on the check that was handed to me at the end of the evening.

As we all know, I’m no stranger to drinking around town. I have a good idea of how much drinks should cost depending on what area you’re in. That’s why they pay me the, ahem, big bucks (I wish).

So when I say Walt Disney World has never charged me as much as Parliament House did on Friday for the types of drinks I ordered you know there’s a problem. My guests and I had six vanilla vodka and pineapples and one “Sex On The Beach.” They were big drinks, but I figured that was the size they were doing for Gay Days. Not once was I asked by the bartender if I wanted a single, a double or a tall double (supposedly they have them there). The liquor wasn’t top shelf or premium, I was fine with well liquor. So when I was handed a bill that maxed out over$80 I was obviously very shocked.

I corrected him and let him know my friends and I only had six basic mixed drinks (normally $3.50 – $4) and one more slightly more advanced mixed drink (normally $4 – $4.50). That’s when he told me they were doubles. First of all, I never asked for a double and I was never told they were doubles by the bartender which is a big no no in my book. Someone orders something give them what they ordered, if you want to up sell them, ask them!

I was never asked and on top of it the drinks came out to $12 per, which means normally a single is $6 which is insanely overpriced. I asked him if these were Gay Days prices and he said no. Although my friend who ordered the “Sex On The Beach” said his first was $10 for a single at an outside tent but the bartender was nice enough to let him know before he completed the order.

Obviously the bartender doesn’t want to rob people blind. I’m not going to mention the bar this happened to me in on this public forum (there are several bars around Parliament House, especially during Gay Days) because it’s not my goal to get anyone in trouble. I’ve been to Parliament House before and have always had a great time when I go. This was a first that unfortunately ended what was a fantastic night.